Melbourne Girls Grammar School (MGGS) student Zoe Papadopoulos has been described by her school as a “confident creator”.
Public speaking has become a passion for Zoe. She relishes the opportunity to present in front of her class, or at an assembly, or when she is a part of some type of performance.
Last year, she wrote a speech about growing up in a Greek household, practicing Greek traditions, cooking and eating with her family.
She is Pontian (from Katerini) on her dad’s side and Maniatiko (from Mani) on her mum’s side.
“I am very proud of being Greek. I am glad that I am able to learn the language by going to Greek school & talking with my yiayia,” Zoe tells Neos Kosmos.
“At Greek school we also learn about Greece’s history & culture. I think that Greece is an amazing country and I love seeing the monuments & museums when I visit, as well as going to the beach & eating all the yummy food.”
She’s regularly visits Greece with her brother, mum and dad, who want her to grow up feeling connected with family and her Greek heritage.
“Having both Pontian and Maniatiko roots, our connection to Greek culture and heritage is very strong as both sides are passionate and proud of their history,” her mum Elena says.
“As first-generation Australians, it has been very important to actively keep our children, the second generation, connected and involved with their Greek heritage so that it doesn’t become watered down or lost.”
Zoe’s first visit to Greece was when she got baptised in Athens at eight months old.
Confidence personified
“From a young age, Zoe has been a great communicator who is able to express herself clearly,” Elena says.
“Zoe showed us that she was eager to learn and explore by the way she constantly asked questions, read so many books (often with great animation) and was willing to try different and new activities.
“Eventually her interests became more refined, and it was obvious to us at home that she wanted to sing and perform, so we encouraged her to get involved in activities that gave her that opportunity.”
She says Zoe also attends all the school productions as she loves to watch the older students perform and gets inspired by them.
Zoe started at MGGS as a three-year-old in the Early Learning Centre (ELC).
“Over the years we’ve seen Zoe’s confidence develop and grow and she even looks forward to being able to join the school debating and public speaking teams as well as perform in the school’s productions one day.”
In her spare time, Zoe loves to dance, sing, perform, read and write stories. She does private singing lessons at school, is part of Voiceworks, the Morris Hall Choir for Year 3 and 4 students, and has also recently joined the Australian Girls Choir (AGC).
“Before I joined in Year 3, I used to enjoy watching the older girls perform and imagined that one day I would be performing up on stage like they were,” Zoe says.
Voiceworks gives Zoe the opportunity to sing and perform at various school events.
“Last year, I really enjoyed singing at the MGGS Dark Arts festival and at a special assembly that was for the students graduating from year 12. It’s also really fun when we get to sing in front of the ELC girls.”
With the AGC, Zoe and the girls rehearse weekly and perform two concerts per year.
“I really like that we get to perform in amazing venues like Hamer Hall,” she says.
“I look forward to the many opportunities I’ll have in the future through AGC, like performing at various major events, singing carols at Christmas time and travelling interstate and internationally to perform in front of big audiences.”
Meet Zoe in the video below
